Water storage device

ABSTRACT

A device for safely storing water for later human consumption and other uses comprising a bladder sized to fit in desired location, such as a bathtub or kitchen sink. The bladder preferably includes a sleeve-like member which serves as a water entry or fill point. The bladder also has a port for inserting a pump to remove the water stored within the bladder. A string tie or lanyard can be provided with the sleeve to maintain the securement of the sleeve to the water faucet during filling of the bladder. For larger bladders an extractor tube can be disposed within the bladder and is in fluid communication with the pump assembly. With the storage device safe potable liquid is made available for use and consumption during an emergency situation or other times, when safe water is otherwise unavailable.

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ApplicationNo. 60/806,003, filed Jun. 28, 2006, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to water storage devices andparticularly to a water storage device preferably for use in emergencysituations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During emergency situations, such as natural disasters like hurricanes,earthquakes, etc., drinking water from a city's water supply line oftenbecomes inaccessible or contaminated. Depending on the extent of theemergency situation, days or weeks may pass before water is againavailable from the city, well, county, or other water source. Thepresent invention is directed to a novel approach of storing watersuitable for drinking for an extended period of time, such that, thedrinking water is available for consumption during an emergencysituation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a water storage device preferably forstoring water that is available and suitable for human consumptionduring an emergency situation where the water source from a conventionalwater supply line, such as, but not limited to, a city or county watersource, well, pond water, lake, or other water source, has beendisrupted. In one embodiment the water storage device comprises abladder preferably shaped and/or sized to fit in a standard bathtub orkitchen sink. The bladder preferably includes a sleeve-like member whichserves as a water entry or fill point. The bladder also has a port forinserting a pump to remove the water stored within the bladder. The portcan comprise a threaded aperture. The bladder can be constructed from alight weight plastic, such as, but not limited to, a triple layer foodgrade material. A string tie, lanyard, rubber band, or other mechanismcan be provided with the sleeve member to tie and seal the bladder oncethe water to be stored has been received within the bladder.

The pump inserted within the port for removing stored water can be of asiphon type having an accordion type pump ball. The pump can be providedwith two check valves which keep the water from going in reverse. Thepump can have a screw on port or flange which mates with the bladder forsecuring the pump to the bladder.

With water stored within the bladder, to retrieve at least a portion ofthe stored water, the user squeezes the ball portion of the pump whichcauses water to travel through the extractor tube (for larger bladdersizes) which is disposed within the bladder through the bladder port ordirectly into a manifold of the pump assembly (for smaller bladdersizes). Exiting water is prevented from reentering the bladder through afirst check valve disposed within the manifold and is directed to adischarge tube associated with the manifold. The discharge tube can be,but is not limited to, a flexible hose or tubing for directing theexiting watering to its desired location. A second check valve disposedwithin the manifold prevents the water entering the hose from reenteringinto the manifold.

Though not considered limiting, the bladder is preferably for one timeuse to prevent contamination. As such, the bladder can be labeled forone time use. Additionally, once the stored water has been retrieved,the bladder can be sliced opened, such as, but not limited to, by aknife, scissors, box cutter, etc. and discarded, which will ensure thatthe bladder is used one time only. However, it should be recognized,that the present invention is not limited to a one-time use only. As anon-limiting example, where the water being stored is for non drinkinguses (i.e. flush a toilet, etc.), bladder 20 can be reused for storingwater once the originally stored water has been used. Other use examplesare also possible and all are considered within the scope of theinvention.

The size and shape of the bladder are chosen to permit it to fit withinthe location of a traditional water source, such as, but not limited to,a bathtub, a kitchen sink, a wash tub, etc. The present inventionprovides a storage device preferably having a smooth rigid or semi rigidcontainer wall which makes potable liquid available when needed, suchas, in an emergency situation. For certain bladder embodiments,preferably once the water is contained with the bladder and sealed, thebladder is placed in a safe location and not moved until needed. Otherbladder embodiments, such as, but not limited to, a fifty-five gallonbladder, are designed to be portable and thus most likely will be movedprior to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the bladder or bag of the water storage device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in theprocess of being filled with water from a bathtub with the bathtub shownin sectional;

FIG. 2 illustrates the bladder or bag of the water storage device ofFIG. 1 residing in a bathtub, filled with water, tied/sealed and withthe pump assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention secured thereto for removing water from the bag and with thebathtub shown in sectional;

FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail a pump assembly of the water storagedevice in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the pump assembly of FIG. 3 with theextractor tube removed in accordance with certain embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a sink version of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the sink version of FIG. 5being use to fill a glass of water; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a portable version of the present invention waterstorage device shown disposed within a truck bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen in the drawings, the present invention provides a water storagedevice which is generally designated as reference number 10. Waterstorage device 10 comprises a bag or bladder 20 and a pump assembly 50.Water storage device 10 can be preferably used for storing water that isavailable and suitable for human consumption during an emergencysituation where the water source from a conventional water supply line,such as, but not limited to, a city or county water source, has beendisrupted.

Bladder 20 can be preferably shaped to fit in a standard bathtub 21,washtub or kitchen sink. Bladder 20 preferably includes a sleeve-likemember 22 which serves as a water entry or fill point. Fill sleeve 22 ispreferably constructed integral or monolithically formed with theremaining portion of bladder 20, such as through welding, heat sealing,and other permanent attachment means (collectively referred to as“welding” throughout). Bladder 20 contains an aperture 24, preferablythreaded, which serves as a port for inserting and securing pumpassembly 50, discussed in more detail below, in order to remove thewater stored within bladder 20. Prior to retrieving the stored waterwithin bladder 20 through pump assembly 50, a cap 27 is secured tothreads 28 of close off aperture 24.

Bladder 20 can be constructed from a light weight plastic, such as, butnot limited to, a triple layer food grade material. A tie string orlanyard 26, or other tying/sealing mechanism (collectively referred toas “lanyard 26”) can be provided with fill sleeve 22 to tie and/or sealbladder 20 once the water to be stored has been received within bladder20. Lanyard 26 can be preferably permanently attached to fill sleeve 22though such is not considered limiting. Lanyard 26 can also be used tohelp secure or maintain sleeve 22 on spicket, faucet or water spout 23when filling bladder 20 with water 25, preferably, though not limiting,while bladder 20 resides within bathtub 21. Alternatively, once bladder20 is filled to the desired level, sleeve 22 itself can be tied into aknot to seal the contents of bladder, without using lanyard 26.

Though not considered limiting, bladder 20 is preferably constructedfrom a transparent, clear or translucent material so that the storedwater content within bladder 20 can be viewed to determine if there areany contaminants or other undesired objects floating in the storedwater.

Pump assembly 50 includes a plumbing portion 60 generally comprising amanifold 62 having a first port 63 (water inlet port), a second port 64and a third port 66 (water discharge or outlet port). A flange 68 isprovided at first port 62 and can be provided or configured with atleast one thread 65 to mate with threaded portion 28 associated withaperture 24 when securing pump assembly 50 to bladder 20. A pumpextractor tube 70 is in fluid communication with manifold 62 throughfirst port 63 and is positioned within bladder 20 when pump assembly 50is properly secured to bladder 20 (See FIG. 2). The length of extractortube can be preferably chosen to reach the bottom of bladder 20 in orderto remove all or substantially all of the water stored within bladder20.

Additionally, when bladder 20 is used in non-bathtub settings, such as,but not limited to, for a kitchen sink or with the portable versionbladder, pump assembly 50 may be capable of removing the desired storedwater without the necessity of extractor tube 70, and these versions ofpump assembly 50 can eliminate extractor tube 70. However, it is withinthe scope of the invention to also provide an extractor tube (the samelength, longer or shorter, as needed, as compared to the length ofextractor tube 70) for these versions or uses of the present invention.Though not preferred, it is also within the scope of the presentinvention to use a pump assembly 50 without an extractor tube 70, forthe bathtub version of the present invention. Extractor tube 70 ispreferred for the bathtub version in view of the wall of the bathtub 21.As bladder 20 is emptied, it continues to sink within bathtub 21 (waterlevel within bladder 20 goes down), along with the attached pumpassembly 50, as such the discharge tube 78, discussed in more detailbelow, is also withdrawn within the bathtub and at some point may nolonger reach over the wall of bathtub 21. The addition of extractor tube70 allows the water of a near empty bladder 20 to be accessed while atthe same time allowing pump assembly 50 to be raised up so thatdischarge tube 78 can be reach over the bathtub wall to its intendedreceptacle, vessel, glass, etc.

Additionally, in non-bathtub uses, bladder 20 can be provided without asleeve and its associated opening. In these versions of bladder 20,aperture 24 serves as the opening for the water entry into bladder 20and water exit from bladder 20. A cap can be disposed at aperture 24prior to exiting the water through pump assembly 50, or pump assembly 50can be secured to aperture once bladder 20 is filled, thus, eliminatingthe need for a separate cap.

A first internal check valve can be disposed internally within manifold62 near or at first port 63 and a second internal check valve can bedisposed internally within manifold 62 near or at third port 66.Discharge tube 78, which can be preferably a flexible hose or tubing,can be secured to third port 66 and is in fluid communication withmanifold 62 through third port 66. Preferably, though not limiting, afirst end of discharge tube 78 can be permanently secured to third port66. Pump assembly 50 also comprises a squeeze ball 80, having an antisiphon relief cap 82, which is secured at second port 64 of manifold 62.Though not considered limiting, squeeze ball 80 can be of a accordiontype pump ball.

The internal check valves prevent the water from going in reverse. Thus,the first internal check valve prevents exited water from reenteringbladder 20 through extractor tube 70 or port 63 (where no extractor tubeprovided) and the second internal check valve prevents discharged waterfrom reentering manifold 62 through flexible hose or tubing 78. Asmentioned above flange 68, in connection with aperture 24, can provide ascrew on securement of pump assembly 50 to bladder 20, with extractortube 70 (where needed) disposed within bladder 20.

With water stored within bladder 20, to retrieve at least a portion ofthe stored water, the user squeeze the ball portion 80 of pump assembly50 to create a siphon to cause water to travel through extractor tube 70and into manifold 62. Check valve 72 prevents the water from going backdown extractor tube 70 and the water is directed through second checkvalve 74 and into discharge tube or hose 78 to its desired location.Siphon relief cap 82 permits the user or operator to break the siphon toprevent further water removal from bladder 20 until again desired.Second check valve 74 prevents the water entering hose 78 fromreentering into manifold 62.

A cap member 79 can be provided on manifold 62 for receipt of an outerend 77 of hose 78. When hose 78 is not in use, outer end 77 ispreferably disposed within cap member 79, which acts to greatly reduceif not completely prevent bugs and other contaminants from enteringwithin the internal area of bladder 20 through hose 78. Though shownsecured to manifold 62, cap member 79 can be disposed at other locationsof storage device 10 within reach of hose 78 and all other locations arealso considered within the scope of the invention.

Though not considered limiting, bladder 20 is preferably for one timeuse to prevent contamination. As such, bladder 20 can be labeled for onetime use. Additionally, once the stored water has been retrieved,bladder 20 can be sliced opened, such as, but not limited to, by aknife, scissors, box cutter, etc. and discarded, which will ensure thatbladder 20 is used one time only. The size and shape of bladder 20 arechosen to permit it to fit within the location of a traditional watersource, such as, but not limited to, a bathtub, a kitchen sink (FIG. 5),a wash tub, truck bed (FIG. 7) etc. The bladder can also be portable,such as, but not limited to the truck bed bladder 20. Bladder 20 can betwo ply in the portable version to help bladder 20 form its shape byitself, such as when it may be resting on the floor in a dwelling orgarage. However, it should be recognized that any embodiment of bladder20 can be constructed from one ply, two ply, three ply, etc. and allvariations are considered within the scope of the invention.

Bladder 20 and/or pump assembly 50 can also be provided with a built-inor non-built in filter to help filter the water stored within bladder 20prior to its end use. Other additives can also be added to the water forsanitizing purposes.

The present invention provides a storage device preferably having asmooth rigid or semi rigid container wall which makes potable liquidavailable when needed, such as, in an emergency situation. Preferablyonce the water is contained with bladder 20 and sealed through the useof tie string or lanyard 26, or other mechanism, bladder 20 is placed ina safe location and not moved until needed.

It should also be recognized that other pump assemblies can be used withthe present invention, such as, but not limited to, a D.C. batteryoperated pump, rotary pump, filter pump, etc. and all are consideredwithin the scope of the invention.

Where a single ply bladder is provided (such as but not limited to,bathtub and sink bladders) the material in one non-limiting preferredembodiment can be a clear, three-layer, non-barrier laminate film. Wherea two ply bladder is provided (such as but not limited to the portable,stand alone version) the material in one non-limiting preferredembodiment can comprise the single ply material described in thepreceding sentence for the outer ply and for the inner ply a singlelayer, linear-low density polyethylene, non-barrier film. These materialdescription are not to be considered limiting and are provided by way ofexample. It is preferred, though not considered limiting, that thematerial used for bladder 20 be of a food/beverage grade.

Though bladder 20 has been shown and described as being sized and shapedfor certain locations (i.e. bathtub, kitchen sink, truck bed, etc.) itshould be recognized that bladder 20 is not considered limited to anyspecific size(s) and/or shape(s) and various size, shapes and dimensionscan be used and all are considered within the scope of the invention.

In addition to its emergency use, various embodiments of the presentinvention can be used for other non-emergency uses, such as, but notlimited to, recreational, boating, camping, etc.

While the invention has been described and disclosed in certain termsand has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, person skilledin the art who have acquainted themselves with the invention, willappreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to thespecific embodiments and modifications disclosed herein. Thus, a widevariety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can bepracticed without departing from the spirit of the invention, and rightsto such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within thescope of the invention.

1. A water storage device, comprising: a bladder defining an internalarea, said bladder having a first opening serving as a water entrance;and an external sleeve having a first open end and a second open end,said external sleeve secured at its first open end to said bladder overthe first opening of said bladder, said sleeve having an internalpassageway therethrough in communication with the internal area of saidbladder through said first opening.
 2. The water storage device of claim1 wherein said bladder having a second opening serving as a water exit.3. The water storage device of claim 1 wherein said external sleeve ispermanently secured to said bladder.
 4. The water storage device ofclaim 3 wherein a first end of said external sleeve is heat sealed orwelded to said bladder.
 5. The water storage device of claim 1 whereinsaid bladder is constructed from a food grade plastic.
 6. The waterstorage device of claim 1 wherein said bladder is sized to be snuglyreceived with a bathtub, washtub or sink when said internal area of saidbladder is at least substantially filled with water.
 7. The waterstorage device of claim 1 wherein said second open end of said sleeve isadapted for securement to a water faucet or spicket.
 8. The waterstorage device of claim 7 further comprising means for maintainingsecurement of said sleeve to the water faucet or spicket.
 9. The waterstorage device of claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining is a tiestring or lanyard attached to said external sleeve.
 10. The waterstorage device of claim 1 wherein once said bladder is filled to adesired water level, said sleeve is tied into a knot to seal thebladder.
 11. A water storage and retrieval device, comprising: a bladderdefining an internal area, said bladder having a first opening servingas a water entrance and a second opening serving as a water exit; and awater pump secured to said bladder at the second bladder opening. 12.The water storage and retrieval device of claim 11 wherein said anexternal sleeve having a first open end and a second open end, saidexternal sleeve secured at its first open end to said bladder over thefirst opening of said bladder, said sleeve having an internal passagewaytherethrough in communication with the internal area of said bladderthrough said first opening.
 13. The water storage and retrieval deviceof claim 12 wherein a first end of said external sleeve is welded tosaid bladder.
 14. The water storage and retrieval device of claim 11wherein said bladder is constructed from a food grade plastic.
 15. Thewater storage and retrieval device of claim 11 wherein said bladder issized to be snugly received with a bathtub, washtub or sink when saidinternal area of said bladder is at least substantially filled withwater.
 16. The water storage and retrieval device of claim 12 whereinsaid second open end of said sleeve is adapted for securement to a waterfaucet or spicket.
 17. The water storage and retrieval device of claim12 further comprising means for maintaining securement of said sleeve tothe water faucet or spicket.
 18. The water storage and retrieval deviceof claim 17 wherein said means for maintaining is a tie string orlanyard attached to said external sleeve.
 19. The water storage andretrieval device of claim 12 further comprising a water extractor tubedisposed within the internal area of said bladder and in fluidcommunication with said water pump.
 20. A water storage and retrievaldevice, comprising: a bladder constructed from a food grade plasticmaterial and defining an internal area, said bladder having a firstopening serving as a water entrance and a second opening serving as awater exit; an external sleeve having a first open end and a second openend, said external sleeve permanently secured and welded at its firstopen end to said bladder over the first opening of said bladder, saidsleeve having an internal passageway therethrough in communication withthe internal area of said bladder through said first opening; means formaintaining securement of said sleeve to a water faucet or spicket; anda manual water pump secured to said bladder at the second bladderopening; wherein said second open end of said sleeve is adapted forsecurement to a water faucet or spicket.
 21. The water storage andretrieval device of claim 20 wherein said bladder is sized to be snuglyreceived with a bathtub, washtub or sink when said internal area of saidbladder is at least substantially filled with water.
 22. The waterstorage and retrieval device of claim 21 wherein said means formaintaining is a tie string or lanyard attached to said external sleeve.23. The water storage and retrieval device of claim 20 furthercomprising a water extractor tube disposed within the internal area ofsaid bladder and in fluid communication with said manual water pump. 24.The water storage and retrieval device of claim 20 wherein said manualwater pump having a hose and manifold, said hose having a first outerend which is received within a cap member secured to said manifold whensaid hose is not in use.